Earl Averill
Howard Earl Averill, nicknamed "the Rock" and "the Earl of Snohomish," was an American professional baseball player who anchored the Cleveland Indians from 1929 to 1939. Born in Snohomish, Washington, he broke into the Major Leagues at age 26 as a center fielder. Averill ranks second in triples in franchise history, while ranking third in hits and doubles. A six-time All-Star from 1933 to 1938, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975 after a storied career that included leading the American League in hits with 232 during his .378 batting season of 1936.
- Role
- Center Fielder
- Affiliation
- Cleveland Indians (1929-1939)
- Hall of Fame Induction
- 1975
- All-Star Selections
- 6 (1933–1938)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Averill's tenure with Cleveland was marked by unique moments and personal resilience. In his Major League debut on April 16, 1929, he collected a single in his first at-bat. His career faced significant physical challenges; during a July 1, 1935 celebration, a fan threw a firecracker that exploded in his hand, causing lacerations and burns that took weeks to heal. Later, in 1937, his performance declined due to other factors, but he famously hit the line drive in the 1937 All-Star Game that broke Dizzy Dean's toe; Dean later returned to pitch but suffered arm problems that ultimately shortened his career.
In Their Own Story
The middle of the 1939 season brought a definitive turning point when Averill was traded to the Detroit Tigers on June 14. Although his playing time diminished in Detroit, he reached the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds at age 38. In that seven-game series, he went 0-for-3 in three pinch-hit attempts as the Reds won 4 games to 3. His final major league stop was brief; in 1941 with the Boston Braves, he batted just .118 (2-for-17) in eight games before being released on April 29. He returned to the Pacific Coast League to play for the Seattle Rainiers, closing out a career that spanned 13 years and 1,669 games.
Reader's Guide
Averill's statistical footprint is massive, compiling a .318 batting average over his entire career with 2,019 hits in 6,353 at-bats. He scored 1,224 runs, recorded 401 doubles, 128 triples, and 238 home runs while driving in 1,164 RBIs. Defensively, he maintained a .970 fielding percentage. Notably, during his time with Cleveland, the team never finished higher than third place in the standings. He hit better than .300 eight times and recorded five seasons with over 100 RBIs. His legacy extended beyond the diamond; at his 1975 Hall of Fame induction, he advocated for Ernie Lombardi and Joe Sewell, stating that statistics alone were insufficient for election. He made headlines in the early 1960s by insisting on carrying his bat in a gun case to an old-timers' game.
Did You Know?
- Ed Delahanty was the first major league player to hit four home runs in a doubleheader, doing so in 1896.
- He suffered burns and lacerations from a firecracker thrown by a fan that exploded in his hand on July 1, 1935.
- Averill hit the line drive that broke Dizzy Dean's toe during the 1937 All-Star Game; Dean returned to pitch but later suffered arm problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Earl Averill?
Known as "the Rock," Howard Earl Averill served as the primary center fielder for Cleveland between 1929 and 1939. He made his major league debut at age 26 before establishing himself as a star player from Snohomish, Washington.
What team records does he hold?
He currently stands as the franchise's all-time leader in accumulated total bases, RBIs, runs scored, and triples. Additionally, his career totals place him third on the club records for both hits and doubles.
How many All-Star games did he play in?
He was selected as an American League All-Star six consecutive times between 1933 and 1938. This recognition highlighted his consistent performance during the peak years of his career.
When was he elected to the Hall of Fame?
Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975, his career achievements were finally recognized decades after retirement. Notable among these was a season where he topped the American League with 232 hits while hitting .378.
Why is he important to Guardians history?
As a cornerstone player for over a decade, Averill anchored the lineup and remains the franchise's all-time leader in several key offensive categories. His legacy defines an era of excellence for the team before they became the Guardians.